WAM responds as another Perth venue gets set to close

West Australia’s peak music association WAM is making moves to put the future of the state’s live music venues as an election issue.

Over the last year, Kulcha, YaYa’s and The Bakery closed their doors, and the Fly By Night Musician’s Club was forced to find new digs.

Last week, Devilles Pad announced it would shutter on Saturday March 21 after seven years. It gave no reason in its online posting.

WAM is reconvening the Live Music Taskforce for crisis talks, and has initiated discussions with the State Government and the Opposition.

WAM’s CEO Mike Harris issued a statement: “WAM is concerned at the recent spate of venue closures in Perth. Live music is a primary contributor to activating and animating city areas, such as Northbridge and Fremantle. It’s a significant contributor to the local economy, and is one of the most accessible cultural activities; everyone likes music.

“WAM will be reconvening the Live Music Taskforce over the next few weeks and looking at ways of protecting, nurturing and encouraging live music venues. This will be via promoting or advocating means of practical or logistical support, influencing cultural policy making, and driving legislative change.

“WA’s music scene is recognised as being one of Australia’s, if not the world’s strongest, and WAM will do everything in its power to stop this from being under threat. With a state election due in two years it is contingent on everyone who supports music to do whatever they can to protect this.

“WAM has started discussions with both the government and opposition, who respect and recognise the importance of this issue, and are investigating what can be done. As an industry we need to work together to make this a key electoral issue.”

Devilles Pad operators, who have been supportive of emerging acts, stated, “In true Deville’s style we plan on going out with GUNS BLAZIN!” It will host a series of farewell shows on Fridays and Saturdays until the final night.

Meanwhile, the Fly By Night is in the midst of farewell shows as it gets set to leave the Artillery Drill Hall in Fremantle on March 11 after 28 years. Over 8,000 music fans signed a petition to try and stop its removal.

Fly By Night CEO John Reid confirmed that it is still on a search to “find the perfect venue to call home.” This would need to include a staged performance area, rehearsal rooms and “a lease that allows the Club to charge significantly less than commercial rates for hiring the space to support artists and community organisations and therefore sustain rich cultural diversity and development. The skills, services and contacts that we have acquired over almost 30 years will be channeled into activating a new contemporary live music venue.” In the meantime, it is staging shows at other venues.